Skip to main content

5 ways to make your patio feel less dated

Do you enjoy hosting outdoor dinners for friends and family? Or do you love reclining outdoors, enjoying nature while reading a good book? A patio adds a whole other room to your home—albeit a room outside the structure itself. Nonetheless, this often becomes your family’s “living room” during the warm weather seasons.

However, you might have noticed that this space hasn’t changed much in the last decade. Therefore, you might be ready to update your tired patio by adding a few eye-catching amenities. Check out these ideas.

stone paving on the patio
Max Vakhtbovych

Redefine your patio space with pavers

Installing pavers is a great way to redefine a typical concrete slab patio. Concrete pavers are affordable and come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. Additionally, flagstone, cobblestone, brick, and tile are viable options for a long-lasting surface. To really add a distinctive look, you can try different shades to create a mosaic pattern.

Plus, you’ll have an easier time maintaining and repairing this type of outdoor flooring. You only have to fix one brick as opposed to redoing an entire slab. Also, the fix lasts much longer than patching up the cracks on concrete.

patio shade over seating
pexels.com

Add some cool shade to update your tired patio.

Create an outdoor haven by erecting shade over your porch. You can make use of some white mosquito netting by attaching them to your home’s exterior with hooks, similar to an awning. The chic canopy will tone down the harsh sunlight and bugs.

greenery and comfortable chair
Skylar Kang

Spruce up the outdoor furniture and include some plant life

If you have metal or rattan patio furniture that doesn’t come clean after a rinse-off, you might consider using spray paint to revitalize (or completely change) the color. Likewise, if the cushions show some wear, you can replace them with a whole new color scheme that compliments the colors of the frames.

Adding potted plants or vases with fresh flowers gives more color and texture to your outdoor space. Plants can be placed on tables as centerpieces, or they can brighten up the corners of the patio. Wherever you choose their placement, you might need to get varieties that don’t require full exposure to the sun.

Likewise, if you wish to keep low-maintenance plants on the patio, you can choose from different varieties of succulents. These types tend to stay small in stature but still add a pop of color, especially if they’re the flowering variety. Nonetheless, they also make cute centerpieces.

fire pit in the backyard
Max la Rochelle

Add a fire pit

When considering how to update your patio, you might try adding a fire pit. They add a fun and cozy flair to your outdoor space. You can fashion a fire pit out of the same type of bricks you would use for a retainer wall. One trick to try is to alternate two different tones as you’re stacking them.

For a square-shaped fire pit, you can use rectangular bricks or flagstones. Just be sure to consult with an expert at the home improvement or masonry shop about which materials can best withstand the heat.

outdoor patio lighting
Marco Cisneros

Incorporate lighting

There are so many lighting options to choose from, but they all share one thing in common. They all add a unique touch of beauty to your patio. For example, you can take a string of Edison bulbs to hang around the edge of a pergola or across the outer edge of the house. You can accomplish a similar but more subdued effect with tiny LED lights.

Yet another idea is to place ground lighting around the outer perimeter of the patio’s surface. You can also arrange faux or citronella candles on the main table and the end tables for a brighter effect.

All in all, the extension of your living space requires as much attention, especially when it’s starting to look a little dated. Therefore, when you’re pondering how to update patio furniture and ambiance, you can look to any of these (or a combination of these) ideas. You’re bound to find an option that suits your taste in outdoor decorating, serves a function when entertaining, and, best of all, fits your budget. So, take a tape measure and your imagination and get ready to add new life to your outdoor haven.

Editors' Recommendations

Leslie Anderson
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Leslie Anderson is a freelance writer/writing coach from Roswell, N.M. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and helping students…
Say goodbye to the traditional green lawn with this eco-friendly 2023 yard trend
Have you ever heard of a wildflower yard? Try this cottagecore lawn trend for a unique aesthetic
Farmhouse with wildflowers in front yard

For many years now, lush green lawns have dominated our landscapes, but a new trend has caught the attention of many environmentalists around the nation. Native plant yards, wildlife conservation lawns, and wildflower lawns are becoming more prominent in front yards and backyards. This is due to the increasing interest in sustainability, environmentally friendly lawn solutions, and the growing interest in cottage home designs.

If you’re looking for a unique way to switch up your landscaping this summer or want to achieve a cottage-yard aesthetic, then a native plant yard could be just what you need. Here’s what you should know.
What is a native plant yard?
Traditionally, homeowners often care for their yards by mowing the lawn, adding sod, or planting grass seed. This gives the look of a lush, fresh green yard that many people work hard to achieve all summer long. However, the native plant yard is a step in a different direction.

Read more
7 appealing driveway design ideas that will make your home exterior look luxe
Spruce up your exterior with these driveway ideas that are sure to make your home stand out
Modern house with brick driveway

When it comes to adding curb appeal and updating the landscaping, one exterior project that’s often neglected is the driveway. However, the driveway happens to be one of the first things people see when approaching a home. It takes up a lot of space and can easily look unappealing in your exterior design. That’s why updating your driveway is so important, as it can enhance curb appeal and make your home exterior look luxe and elegant.

While it’s easy to opt for a classic gravel, cement, or asphalt driveway, most hotels and luxury homes choose to create a driveway that feels more elegant and detailed. So today, we’re sharing tips on how you can update a boring driveway and turn it into a statement piece on the property. Check out these seven driveway ideas and maybe one will hit the mark with you.
Use brick instead of cement or asphalt
One of the best ways to update a drab driveway is to use brick instead of cement or asphalt. Cement, asphalt, and gravel are the most common driveway materials, but all of them can appear boring or like an afterthought in your exterior design. Instead, why not mimic hotels and luxury homes by opting for brick driveway pavers instead? Brick driveways look luxe, and there are several colors and patterns to choose from. Depending on your exterior palette, you can opt for red, cream, brown, or tan bricks to add some more color to your home’s exterior.

Read more
DIY home decor: This bathroom tray looks high end but costs less than $5 to make
We adore this inexpensive bathroom tray and how easy it is to replicate
luxury bathroom tray diy home decor tip with storage trays

Everyone loves a good do-it-yourself project, especially when it saves you a ton of money and looks like it was bought at a high-end store. You don't have to be an expert builder or even that educated in DIY in general with all of the millions of YouTube and TikTok videos done by non-experts that are willing to walk us all through the steps to put something together. This DIY bathroom tray from TikToker "woman.of.gold" is both of those, costing less than $5 and giving that high-end vibe that everyone wants in a bathroom.
How to pull it off
Woman.of.gold wrote that the "plastic plate was only £1.49" and "the tea light holders only 50p each" so the total cost was £3.49 (approximately $4.34) since she already had the paint and baking soda at home. (And even if you don't have those supplies, a little paint and baking soda won't add too much to your total cost.

https://www.tiktok.com/@woman.of.gold/video/7197510192395717893

Read more